BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 101 



aiul the damage cannot be repaired later. It is tlierefore necessary first 

 to remove all fatty aud oily substances which may have been used in 

 the manufiicture of the nets, as they prevent the liquor from penetrat- 

 ing the nets.* This is done by putting the nets, without pressing them 

 too much, into a kettle with boiling water aud letting them cook for 

 about an hour, stirring them from time to time to j^revent them from 

 sticking to the bottom. When taken out they are laid on a slanting 

 board and pressed, so as to get the water out of them as much as pos- 

 sible. They are finally spread out to dry, and when thoroughly dry 

 they are ready for tanning. The tanning is repeated four times before 

 the net is considered ready for use. 



First tanning. — A kettle is filled with as much water as is necessary 

 to keep the nets under water, when they are laid in it, without being 

 pressed too hard. One need not fear that the first solution is too 

 weak, for it is better that it should be too weak than too strong, as in 

 the latter case it will not sufficiently penetrate the twine, but form a 

 sort of crust over it, which will crumble off when the net is used. For 

 the entire tanning process 1 i:»ound of the best kind of catechu is used 

 to every pound of nets. For the first tanning one-half is taken and dis- 

 solved in water in a kettle. When tbe catechu is completely dissolved 

 no more fire is kept under the kettle than is necessary to keep the 

 liquor simmering. The nets are then laid in the kettle and boiled for 

 two hours, stirring them well. When they have boiled the required 

 time they are taken out, laid in tight vats and pressed, and the solution 

 is poured over them, and the vats are covered up. They remain in the 

 vats for forty-eight hours, when they are taken out, wrung, and laid 

 out to dry. When they are thoroughly dry they are ready for the 

 second tanning. Care should, of course, be taken not to spill any of 

 the solution, as this is to be used for future tannings. 



Second tanning. — The solution from the first tanning is put into the 

 kettle, and water is added if there is not enough to cover the nets. 

 Half of the remaining catechu is i)ut into the kettle, and wlien it is com- 

 pletely dissolved, the solution, when boiling hot, is poured over the nets, 

 which have meanwhile been piled up in a water-tight vat. The remain- 

 ing process is the same as in the first tanning. 



Third tanning. — The same process is followed as in the second, the 

 remainder of the catechu being used, and if necessary some water is 

 added. 



When the nets are dry, after the third tanning, they are well washed 

 in sea- water, to which is added about a gallon, of lime-water, prepared 

 the day beforehand', so that the lime has time to sink to the bottom. 

 The object of the washing is to remove all catechu particles which may 

 have adhered to the twine, as they may cause the fourth tanning to 

 be a failure, and the object of the lime-water is to fix the color. The 

 nets are then again well dried and are hung up. 



* In Norway the lishermcu sometimes boil the twiue before it la used; but it is 

 under all circumatauces bettor to boil the nets. 



